Bollinger's Grande Année 2005 was Highly Recommended in 'Spectator Selections'. The Grande Année is only released in 'great' years and yields from one harvest.

For the Grande Année, Bollinger selects its best wines from its crus and ferments them individually in oak casks prior to blending. The wineis aged for a minimum of five years in its bottle prior to release.

Established in the early 19th century by Jacques Bollinger and Paul Renaudin, Bollinger remains under the control of the wider family and is synonymous with rich, complex, classic Pinot Noir dominated Champagnes with great aging potential. Around 75% of Bollinger’s grapes are harvested from its own vineyards to ensure quality.

“…one of Champagne’s historic houses. From top to bottom, there isn’t anything Bollinger isn’t doing well these days." eRobertParker.com

"Bollinger produces one of the most consistent lineups in Champagne. Bollinger is one of the handful of larger firms that manages to put out consistently high quality wines despite its size. This estate based in Ay is probably best known to the public through its long association with the James Bond films, which is quite possibly one of the most successful product placement campaigns of all time. Despite the show biz glamor that has inextricably become part of the Bollinger mystique, at their best these are serious wines with significant aging potential."eRobertParker.com

"What we like about the business is that 'fine' doesn't just mean famous. The first growths and their ilk are here, but in company with some excellent, less well-known, sometimes very limited production wines and often at what seem very reasonable prices."

The Wine Gang, thewinegang.com

"The range is excellent and I don’t just mean that they go right to the very top. There’s something for everyone, whether you want mature first-growth Bordeaux or a little known gem from an estate that’s been in the same family for generations and which you’d be hard-pushed to find anywhere else other than at the cellar door. I’m always finding things I want to try on Cadman’s list."